The Edition

Are we witnessing the death of the liberal ideal? (01:02) Next, what's behind the government U-turn on primary schools and what effect could it have on the poorest students? (20:14) And finally, Britain's ash trees are facing a pandemic of their own, with so-called ash dieback sweeping the nation. Can Britain's ash trees be saved? (30:12) With Douglas Murray; The Spectator's economics editor Kate...

As China looks to push through its national security law, is it time to offer Hong Kongers a way out? (01:00) And with the Black Lives Matter protests continuing to rage in America, can they unseat Donald Trump? (15:30) And last, do animals have culture? (29:10) With Spectator Editor Fraser Nelson; Hong Kong expert Jeffrey Wasserstrom; Spectator USA Editor Freddy Gray; our Economics Correspondent...

It's not just coronavirus, but the government is keen to have a new approach to China. We discuss what this entails and whether or not it's a good idea (00:50). Plus, what will be the lasting impact of the Cummings affair on the government? (17:16) And last, the way to deal with noisy neighbours now that people are working from home (34:00). With our Political Editor James Forsyth; former Cabinet...

Brexit is back on the agenda, but this time, talks are even more difficult than the last phase (00:45). Plus, what do we understand about immunity, and how should that inform the lockdown policy (16:45)? And for a nation that bangs on about fish, do we eat enough of it (28:00)? With the Spectator's Political Editor James Forsyth ; former Adviser on Europe to Theresa May Raoul Ruparel ; Crick Insti...

European countries all seem to be doing something different, so what are the lessons from the continent (00:45)? Plus, how the West's lockdown impacts the developing world in a very real way (13:05). And last, rediscovering the joy of driving on the country's empty roads (24:55). With economist Fredrik Erixon, the Economist's Anne McElvoy, Stanford Professor Jayanta Bhattacharya, Indian economist...

The government is looking at easing the lockdown, but how much remains unknown about the coronavirus (00:40)? In the meantime, Joe Biden is batting off sexual assault allegations (10:15), and we take a look at the upside of lockdown for new parents (21:30). With science writer Matt Ridley, virologist Elisabetta Groppelli, Spectator USA editor Freddy Gray, host of the 'Democratically: 2020' podcast...

With the Prime Minister back, the government is pivoting towards a South Korean model on coronavirus. So what's taken them so long (00:45)? Plus, how does oil complicate the pandemic in Russia (14:50)? And last, why weddings will be over-subscribed in 2021 (26:55). With James Forsyth, Adrian Wooldridge, Owen Matthews, Isabelle Khurshudyan, Katy Balls and Katrina Otter. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produ...

This week, the Spectator celebrates it's 10,00th edition - we discuss the magazine's history of the last two centuries (26:15). Also on the podcast, we discuss Boris's difficult decision on lockdown (00:40) and the pandemic reaching Africa (12:15). With James Forsyth, Craig Oliver, Aidan Hartley, Ama Fenny, David Butterfield, and Fraser Nelson. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus C...

On the podcast this week: the geopolitics of coronavirus (00:55), Conservatism after the crisis (19:30), and the new class divide between the have-gardens and the have-not-gardens (35:25). With Niall Ferguson, Gerard Baker, James Forsyth, Jeremy Hunt, Melanie McDonagh and Freddy Gray. Presented by Cindy Yu and Katy Balls. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts....

This is an Easter like no other - so what happens to Christianity when Christians can't go to church (1:00)? We also hear reports from the New York frontline (12:20), and discuss just why humour is so important in dark times (29:40). With Luke Coppen, Tom Holland, Qanta Ahmed, John Rick MacArthur, and Jonathan Waterlow. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter. Become a Spectator...

On the podcast this week, we take a look at the exceptional nature of 'coronomics' and what comes after (00:55), how the Swedish are dealing with coronavirus differently (18:50), and lessons in solitude from a polar explorer (31:15). With Kate Andrews, Lionel Barber, Fredrik Erixon, Yascha Mounk and Geoff Wilson. Presented by Cindy Yu. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter. Become a Spectator subscr...

How prepared is the NHS for the coming battle with coronavirus (1:20)? Plus, what will Britain look like after the epidemic (12:20)? And last, just how are children so good at make-believe (29:25)? With Dr Max Pemberton, Dr Kieran Mullan, James Forsyth, William Hague, Mary Wakefield and Piers Torday. Presented by Cindy Yu and Katy Balls. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter. Become a Spectator subs...

It's the first few days of a national lockdown, so have humans been hubristic in not expecting something like this to happen (1:10)? Over in France, is President Macron dealing with this any better (11:05)? Last, is there any point in being a historical novelist in the age of Hilary Mantel (19:10)? With James Forsyth, Dr Elisabetta Groppelli, Jonathan Miller, Katy Lee, Antonia Senior and Mark Laws...

This week kicked off with an incredible fall in oil prices globally, so what on earth happened (00:50)? We also talk about the Budget, where Rishi Sunak set out in more detail how the government's 'levelling up' agenda will look (10:20). Finally, should we be doing more science research for curiosity's sake (23:05)? With Kate Andrews, Owen Matthews, James Forsyth, Polly Mackenzie, Thomas Fink and...

As the coronavirus sweeps across the globe, it's causing businesses, consumers, and governments to rethink their globalised lives. Is this a tipping point for hyper-globalisation? Plus, is the government slimming down its Budget plans? And last, is it harder to be eco-friendly if you are a woman? With Kate Andrews, Gideon Rachman, James Forsyth, Sarah Longlands, Laura Freeman and Sian Sutherland....

As the UK and the EU both set out what they want to get in the upcoming trade negotiations, are they heading for an almighty Brexit showdown (00:40)? We also have a look at the constitutional reforms proposed by Guinea's president Alpha Condé, and how he has succumbed to 'African Strongman Syndrome' (18:05). Plus, are dog owners treating their pets like babies (30:15)? With James Forsyth, Peter Fo...

This week, has Mike Bloomberg blown his presidential hopes with a disastrous TV debate (00:50)? Plus, has the BBC really gone downhill (12:05)? And last, Toby Young reveals all about his first stand up comedy gig (26:30). With Freddy Gray, Bill Barnard, Douglas Murray, Claire Fox, Toby Young, and Andy Shaw. Presented by Cindy Yu. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without a...

This week, as Sinn Fein enters coalition talks with Fianna Fail, is Ireland’s election result a sign of a European trend (00:40)? Plus, No 10 is going to war over the deportation of a number of Jamaican detainees – so is citizenship a privilege, or a right (15:40)? And last, what makes South Korea’s pop culture quite so successful (29:15)? With Fraser Nelson, Anne McElvoy, Bella Sankey, Mercy Muro...

In the aftermath of the Streatham attack, we take a look at how our prisons became finishing schools for extremists (00:40). Plus, what on earth happened in the Iowa caucus (11:25)? And last, is there anything true in the stories about Calamity Jane (22:50)? With James Forsyth, Haras Rafiq, Freddy Gray, Karin Robinson, and Karen R Jones. Presented by Lara Prendergast and Cindy Yu. Produced by Cind...

It’s finally Brexit day. So has the country’s healing process begun (00:55)? Plus, what does the coronavirus tell us about modern China (11:35)? And last, is it time we start talking about death (20:50)? With Rod Liddle, Stefanie Bolzen, Cindy Yu, Alex Colville, Kate Chisholm and Sharon Young. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter. Become a Spectator subscriber today t...

As France enters its 62nd weekend of protests, President Macron’s honeymoon is well and truly over. But has he found a new friend in Boris Johnson (00:45)? Plus, what is the problem with the Labour leadership race (12:35)? And last, what’s killing Britain’s wild salmon (25:20)? With Jonathan Miller, Charles Grant, James Forsyth, Gloria de Piero, Mike Daunt and Dylan Roberts. Presented by Isabel Ha...

This week, ‘Megxit’ has divided the nation – but could slimming down the monarchy actually be a good idea (00:50)? Plus, Ireland goes to the polls next month – how could the next Taoiseach impact Brexit talks (16:35)? And last, what if charity work isn’t quite the rewarding experience you expect (27:40)? With Tim Stanley, Katie Nicholl, Liam Halligan, Tony Connelly, Cosmo Landesman and Mary Wakefi...

It’s been a week since Qassem Soleimani was assassinated. In this episode, we ask – has Trump’s decision actually united the Middle East (00:30)? Plus, as the Labour leadership contest gets underway – do any of the candidates actually scare the Tories (15:40)? And last, is the piggybank a thing of childhoods past (28:30)? With Sir John Jenkins, Oz Katerji, Katy Balls, James Mills, Laurie Graham, a...

How do you and your family spend Christmas? In the Christmas issue of the Spectator, broadcaster and author Gyles Brandreth writes about the generations old traditions in his family of playing games and reciting poetry. In this episode of the Edition at Christmas, the Spectator’s Features Editor and resident board games fanatic Will Moore speaks to Gyles and Mark Mason, author of the Importance of...

It’s been a protest unlike any other that China has seen. Since June, hundreds of thousands – by some estimates millions – of Hong Kongers have protested against the government. What was sparked by opposition to an extradition bill that would allow Hong Kongers to face trial in the mainland, has now turned into a six month long pro-democracy movement. So how significant are these protests, and hav...